41st Electronic Combat Squadron explained

Unit Name:41st Electronic Combat Squadron
Dates:1917–1946; 1954–1959; 1965–1969; 1980–present
Country: United States
Role:Electronic warfare
Nickname:Scorpions
Battles:World War I
Antisubmarine Campaign
Vietnam War
Desert Storm[1]
Decorations:Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Identification Symbol Label:41st Electronic Combat Squadron emblem (approved 28 October 1981)
Identification Symbol 2 Label:9th Airship Company emblem (approved 3 January 1933)[2] [3]

The 41st Electronic Combat Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. Its current assignment is with the 55th Electronic Combat Group at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona as a geographically separated unit from its parent wing, the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. It operates the Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call communications-jamming aircraft.

The squadron is one of the oldest in the United States Air Force, its origins dating to 14 June 1917, when it was organized at Kelly Field, Texas. It served overseas in France as part of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. The squadron also saw combat during World War II, and became part of Tactical Air Command (TAC) during the Cold War.

History

World War I

The squadron's origins date to the 9th Balloon Company of the Observation Balloon Service in World War I, which served with the French 17th and 32nd Army Corps, and the III and IV Army Corps, United States Army, from 16 August – 11 November 1918.[1]

World War II

The squadron provided air defense for Panama Canal, January 1942 – May 1944, with occasional antisubmarine patrols over the Caribbean and Pacific, especially during May and June 1942; deployed to Western Pacific in June 1945, but never entered combat.[1]

Cold War

The squadron was reactivated at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, where it was assigned to the 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Group and equipped with Douglas RB-26 Invader aircraft.[1] In 1956 as deliveries of the Douglas RB-66B Destroyer to the Air Force increased, the squadron was equipped with the newer jet aircraft.[4]

From the 1960s

The unit fought in Southeast Asia, c. November 1965 – 31 October 1969.[1]

The unit was tasked with command, control, and communications countermeasures from 1982 onwards. It flew electronic countermeasures missions from the United Arab Emirates during Operation Desert Shield/Operation Desert Storm from 27 August 1990 – 17 April 1991.[1]

Lineage

Redesignated 9th Balloon Company on 25 July 1918

Redesignated 9th Airship Company on 30 August 1921

Redesignated 9th Airship Squadron on 26 October 1933

Redesignated 1st Observation Squadron on 1 June 1937

Redesignated 1st Observation Squadron (Medium) on 13 January 1942

Redesignated 1st Observation Squadron on 4 July 1942

Redesignated 1st Reconnaissance Squadron (Special) on 25 June 1943

Redesignated 41st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron on 25 November 1944

Redesignated 41st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 24 January 1946

Inactivated on 17 June 1946

Activated on 18 March 1954

Inactivated on 18 May 1959

Organized on 1 October 1965

Redesignated 41st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 8 October 1966

Redesignated: 41st Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron on 15 March 1967

Inactivated on 31 October 1969

Activated on 1 July 1980[1]

Assignments

Source:[5]

Two flights attached to Cavalry School to c. April 1941

Third flight remained assigned to Cavalry School throughout period

Flight attached to Cavalry School to c. December 1941

Attached to 6th Bombardment Group, 10 April 1942 – c. June 1942

Attached to Air Division Provisional, 15, 5 December 1990 – 17 April 1991

Stations

Detachment at: North Field (Iwo Jima), Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands (Japan), 9 August 1945 – c. 15 September 1945

Deployed at Bateen Air Base, United Arab Emirates, 27 August 1990 – 17 April 1991.[1]

Aircraft

See also

References

Notes

Explanatory notes

Footnotes

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Factsheet 41 Electronic Combat Squadron. 22 March 2011. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 8 January 2017.
  2. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 191–192
  3. The original triangular emblem was placed on a light blue disc in 1981 and slightly modified in 1994. AFHRA Factsheet.
  4. Knaack, p. 419
  5. Web site: 41 Electronic Combat Squadron . 2023-03-03 . Air Force Historical Research Agency . en-US .